to protest vote?

[CaptainObviousTwo]

And simply write "none" on my ballet slip? though "they're all wankers" would probably get my point across more efficiently

I think its really really important to vote, especially as a woman. HOWEVER...

I don't like any of the parties. None of them have a manifesto where I solidly support the majority of their points. Or even many of their points.
None of them are going to/going to be able to fulfill all their promises anyway.
all Most of them are inconsistent and hypocritical.

From what I understand, protest votes get counted so if they're enough of them it would make a valid point.

AIBU?

Surely no one can say that they 100% agree with one party totally and 100% reject the others?

That won't make it out of the counting office. No one but the vote counters will know you did it, so what's the point?

I think that's a bit pointless really.

It gets counted. In 2015 there were just shy of 100,000 protest votes

Yabu

I think a protest vote is better than no vote BUT I also think it's a waste. You don't need to agree with everything a party stands for. Surely one is more in line with your broad view than another? Vote for them.

Pointless waste of time who cares about a protest vote just vote for who will do the least damage

No-one will care if you spoil your ballot, but right before the French election, I saw a very interesting equation regarding spoils ballots. Basically, if enough people spoil their ballots, the least desired option may get in. I think 3 million spoiled their ballots. Good job Macron had a decent margin or that could've ended badly, non?

But that's such a tiny number in comparison to the number who voted for a party, nobody will be remotely bothered. They're counted, yes, but nobody other than the counters will give a shit. It will only be aired in front of the powers that be if a significant percentage of voters do this.

I agree that there's hardly anyone who'd agree wholeheartedly with 100% of anyone's manifesto. I tend to look at it as being like a roast dinner; I'm not always keen on everything Labour Diane Abbott but their overall dining experience is far more palatable to me than the Tory Menu, so I vote Labour because I agree with more of their policies, manifesto and costings.

I think YABU to spoil a vote, though, because it's such a waste of something precious. But it's your vote and your right to do with it as you like.

YABU.
You know that though.

How true it is I don't know, but I heard any none votes go to the party already in power.

YABU. Protest votes are part of why US is stuck with trump

If you have to ask how to vote then you don't deserve a vote.

JMHO

YANBU. I wouldn't do it myself; I'd always vote for the least bad iyswim? But I think a spoiled vote is better than no vote at all, and they do get counted.

Protest votes are better than no votes but personally even if I didn't support a particular candidate in my area I would vote tactically against the party I dislike the least. I think most people would at least align with the ideals of either Labour/Lin Dems or the Tories/UKIP, if not their current leader / manifesto / policies, and so would be able to vote tactically.

Sorry, against the party I dislike the MOST, that should say!

Pointless, it comes down to choosing the lesser of the evils

I can see where the op is coming from, I live in a Tory stronghold (last election they had close to 20,000 majority) my vote doesn't count anyway, even a vote for the least worst option is pointless

If you have to ask how to vote then you don't deserve a vote.
What a load of rubbish! Surely if someone asks how to vote then they're showing an interest in politics and wanting to make an informed choice? Maybe they didn't know much about it before, maybe they didn't grow up in a particularly political household, but if they're asking then they're caring. Of course they deserve a vote!

It's better than not voting. But not as good as choosing your least worst option.,......

YANBU I am thinking of doing the same.

If you have to ask how to vote then you don't deserve a vote.

What a ridiculous comment.

Yanbu. It's your vote and you are free to dispose of it how you wish.

However if you want to protest that may actually make a difference (spoiled votes just get counted and chucked in the bin, how or why they were spolied isn't recorded) I'd consider voting for the party who is usually 2nd place (or 3rd in a swing constituency) to shave off the incumbent's majority a little.

If you have to ask how to vote then you don't deserve a vote.

I should only be allowed to vote if I'm born with the innate and unwavering knowledge of who to vote for?

My understanding is they might get counted in the sense of tracking the number, but the total count makes no difference.

So if all the people who don't fully agree with any party policy vote "none", and all the hardcore EDL supporters (other radical nutters are available) do vote, the EDL get in.

Bad example in terms of out of date parties but I think it makes the point I'm after.

Basically extreme politics are supported more passionately, their supporters always vote. By not voting/voting "none" you're adding support to them... I think anyway. So better by far to vote for the party most aligned to your views surely?

Suspect I've mangled my own point there though!

I should only be allowed to vote if I'm born with the innate and unwavering knowledge of who to vote for?

No. Ignore them. Ridiculous comment!